Team USA's Oksana Masters Wins 11th Paralympic Gold Medal: "On Top of the World Right Now" Oksana Masters secured her 11th Paralympic gold medal by triumphing in the women’s sprint sitting discipline of Para cross-country skiing at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics. The victory marked a moment of personal redemption for the American athlete, who had finished second in the same event four years earlier during the 2022 Beijing Games. Masters celebrated her win with intense emotion, screaming in delight as she crossed the finish line, a stark contrast to her earlier near-miss. The race was a defining moment for Masters, who admitted to struggling with self-doubt throughout her career. "I struggle with believing in myself," she said after the event. "The team believed in me, so I wanted to show up for my team." Her perseverance paid off as she overcame a 40-meter deficit to the leader, Yunji Kim, during the final incline. Masters described her approach to the race as a mix of frustration and determination, noting, "I hate chasing. I would rather be chased, but I do realize that I do well with chasing and reeling people in, one by one, staying smooth and relaxed." This victory added to Masters’ already impressive tally, bringing her total Paralympic gold medals to seven in the Winter Games and four in the Summer Games. She now holds 21 total medals across both competitions, with 16 from the Winter Games and five from the Summer. Masters has competed in every Paralympics since 2012, excelling in Para cross-country and Para biathlon during the winter and Para cycling and Para rowing in the summer. Her journey to the top has been anything but easy.#oksana_masters #milan_cortina_2026 #para_cross_country_skiing #university_of_louisville #chernobyl_nuclear_disaster
Winter Paralympics star revealed birth defects were linked to Chernobyl disaster Oksana Masters, a decorated Paralympic athlete, has shared how her severe birth defects were likely caused by radiation exposure from the Chernobyl disaster. The 36-year-old, who has won 22 Paralympic medals, was born with multiple physical abnormalities, including six toes, missing bones in her legs, webbed hands, and the absence of a kidney and right bicep. Her condition, which she described as “not normal” until she moved to the United States, was later attributed to her mother’s proximity to the Chernobyl nuclear site. Masters was raised in a Ukrainian orphanage after being abandoned at birth. She was adopted by a professor in New York and eventually moved to the U.S., where doctors connected her medical issues to radiation exposure. “They linked it to Chernobyl because I was really not that far from there, and the fact that radiation levels continued to rise years after the explosion,” she explained. She recalled that the orphanage’s village had a nearby power plant, and during high radiation periods, a police officer would warn residents to stay indoors. Her early life was marked by medical interventions. At age nine, she underwent surgery to remove her impaired left leg, becoming a double amputee by 10. She later had multiple surgeries on her hands, which were described as webbed with no thumbs. Despite these challenges, Masters found a path in sports. She began adaptive rowing at 16 and won her first Paralympic medal, a bronze, in 2012. She later transitioned to cross-country skiing, earning medals in Sochi and PyeongChang, and expanded her career to include biathlon and cycling. Masters’ achievements have made her Team USA’s most decorated disabled athlete. In 2022, she won her first Paralympic gold in biathlon in Beijing.#ukraine #new_york #oksana_masters #chernobyl_disaster #paralympics
Competition Gets Underway at 2026 Winter Paralympic Games The 2026 Winter Paralympic Games have officially begun, with competition intensifying a day after the opening ceremony marked the 50th anniversary of the event. U.S. para biathlete Oksana Masters claimed gold in the women’s race, securing her place as the most decorated winter Paralympian in American history. Masters finished 20 seconds ahead of the next closest competitor, Kendall Gretsch, in a thrilling display of skill and determination. The victory highlights the growing competitiveness of the event, with athletes from around the world vying for top honors in a variety of disciplines. NBC’s Emilie Ikeda provided live coverage of the opening day, capturing the excitement and anticipation surrounding the Games. The 2026 Paralympics, held in the same host city as the Winter Olympics, continue to showcase the resilience and talent of athletes with disabilities, setting the stage for a historic competition.#oksana_masters #2026_winter_paralympic_games #kendall_gretsch #nbc #emilie_ikeda
American Oksana Masters eyeing "perfect race" at Paralympic Games Oksana Masters, a 19-time Paralympic medallist, is preparing for the 2026 Paralympic Games with the goal of achieving what she calls a "perfect race." In a recent conversation with CNN Sport's Coy Wire, Masters discussed her ambitions and the significance of the upcoming event. The athlete, known for her versatility across multiple sports, has consistently demonstrated resilience and skill, earning her a place among the most decorated Paralympians in history. Masters’ focus on the 2026 Games reflects her determination to push her performance to the highest level. She emphasized the importance of mental and physical preparation, noting that the Paralympics represent not only a chance to compete at the world's top level but also an opportunity to inspire others. Her journey has been marked by overcoming challenges, both on and off the field, and she remains committed to representing her country with pride. The 2026 Paralympic Games will be held in a host city yet to be officially announced, but Masters has already begun strategizing for the event. She highlighted the need for a balanced approach, combining rigorous training with recovery to ensure peak performance. Her coach and support team play a crucial role in this process, helping her refine techniques and adapt to the demands of the competition. Masters’ career has been defined by her ability to excel in diverse disciplines, including athletics, swimming, and cycling. Her versatility has allowed her to compete in multiple events, making her a standout figure in Paralympic history. Despite her numerous accolades, she remains focused on the present, driven by the desire to achieve her best in the 2026 Games.#oksana_masters #paralympic_games #cnn_sport #coy_wire #paralympic_history
